Heels on Wheels 2014 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition Review

2014 Toyota Tundra 1794
Edition

HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel

INTRO TO THE TUNDRA VEHICLEThe Tundra has adopted an appreciation of the finer things with
sharpened styling as the main headliner for 2014 – gone are the
bubbly corners, replaced by a more chiseled and traditional shape with a
logo embossed on tailgate.

The Tundra hopes to be a truck that can answer a variety of needs,
whether you are getting out of the SUV or need it for work-related reasons.
Main competitors are the Dodge 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and
Nissan Titian. I have also written a preview on the 2014 Toyota Tundra at a
destination event for media only.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results: The 1794 Edition has a
western-themed interior cast in premium brown wood and leather upholstery.
Technical changes include a center stack that has been moved away from
driver position by 2.6-inches and a more streamlined multi-information
display (a gauge has been dropped). The rear seat slider dropped and the
backseats now tip up. Standard highlights for the base Tundra SR trim
include a rearview camera, 6.1-inch touchscreen and some basic Entune
features. Additional options included a $200 chrome-clad wheels and $345
running boards which are essential for shorter drivers. For a truck of this
size, it is roomy and spacious with excellent visibility.

Reliability & Safety Factor: The Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the model ratings of “Good” in all
areas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the
2014 Toyota Tundra and overall 4-Star rating with lowest results in frontal
crash.

Cost Issues: The base Tundra SR starts at $25,920 with both
the Platinum and 1794 Edition beginning at $47,320. The most popular trim,
the SR5 with the 5.7-liter V8 is roughly $34,015.

Activity & Performance Ability: The Tundra’s suspension
absorbs all rocks, pits and other abrasions with a more generous approach
angle than competitors, well-tuned brakes, and a confident steering
response. Road noise is minimal on the highway and the transition is
extremely smooth. The Tundra hauls more than 2,000 pounds and tows more
than 10,000 pounds, plus is the only full-sized pickup that is J2807
compliant with the 5.7-liter which gets the most performance technology.
There are two other engines to choose from – a 270-horsepower 4-liter
V6 or a 310-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. Four- or two-wheel drive is available
for all.

The Green Concern: This engine debunks the myth of
competitor’s V6 engines, with Toyota claiming it gets same fuel
economy of the Tundra’s V8 without all the strain. The 4-liter V6
gets 16-city and 20-highway for a combined 17 miles-per-gallon combined;
the 4.6-liter V8 with four-wheel drive gets 16-combined; and the 5.7-liter
V8 with four-wheel drive gets 15-combined.

FINAL PARTING WORDSWhile the 2014 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition is certainly swanky, the
half-ton crew cab in the SR5 trim with the same 5.7-liter engine meets
functional, technical, and budgetary needs best.